Preview Night 4/15/16 Trip Report!

[KIghostguy]

Hi everyone! I just came back from preview night! I went with three friends (I'll call them J, W, and Q). We arrived about 5:30 and went through the new tollbooths. There is a large new "Kings Island" sign in front of Great Wolf Lodge and you now enter through there and go through the new toll booths, and then on to the parking lot. In any case, we got LaRosa's on International Street. Nothing different since the last time I had LaRosa's. We passed the Kings Island Theater. According to posters outside, on May 28, a new show called "Origins: A Cirque Story" will debut at the theater. This will presumably be similar to Cirque Imagine, which I never got to see. We decided WindSeeker would be our first ride. Wait was about five minutes. Very gentle and relaxing, except on the ride up. The clicking of the cables and pulleys taking us up was beginning to freak me out! But, otherwise very nice, as always. We rode Shake, Rattle and Roll next (no wait), but nothing new there. Still fun, of course. Zephyr was next (three minutes or so wait), and again nothing new. From there, we crossed into X-Base, and I decided to go on Flight of Fear for the first time. I always wanted to ride it, but was too chicken in years past. It was about 15 minutes, but still not that bad. Me and J got the back seat, but W decided not to ride at the last minute. The launch was very surprising and it went fast. I really wasn't expecting it! The ride itself was very bumpy, in a good way. I loved every second, and it's now one of my new favorite rides at the park. I initially had no inclination to ride Firehawk, which I also had never ridden, but my friends finally convinced me into riding it (five minute wait). I got in, my knees knocking. But it was actually very smooth and very thrilling! It really does feel like you are flying! I got off loving it, a new ride to add to my list of favorites. The next ride up was The Racer (walked right on). I rode red, but it lost to blue. No changes, still the wonderfully rickety woodie it always is. We were going to ride Banshee, but it had broken down, so we decided to do Adventure Express next (walk on). In the second tunnel, it was fully illuminated, and in the next few tunnels there were some new red and green lights. I really liked the addition of those. After we got off I noticed that on the ground near the ladder game set up next door there were some circular markings on the ground. I asked the employee at the game if they were remnants from Skylab, but he didn't know. I didn't take any photographs, so you'll have to take my word for it. Then, we all decided to ride The Beast at night. The sun had fully set and the moon was high as we trekked across Coney Mall. None of us had never ridden The Beast at night, so no one really knew what to expect. On the fence on the ramp towards the station, eight of the poles were unpainted. It was about a 15-20 minute wait, but it was worth it! You couldn't see the track except for a dark silhouette on the sky as the cool breeze swept around the cars. People really aren't kidding that it is a different ride and night, and it was undoubtedly the best ride I had ever taken on The Beast. We decided Backlot Stunt Coaster would be next, and it was a 5-10 minute wait. Everything was normal, but the police car's sirens weren't on and just sat there. Also in the tunnel, three exit signs were newly illuminated. I actually kind-of liked the pale green light they cast through the darkness. We all got Dippin' Dots, and as we walked back towards International Street the fireworks burst over the sky. We left the park as soon as it closed, ending a great first season visit to Kings Island.  

[KIghostguy]

Also, I forgot to add that Scrambler has a new blue paint job and there will be some sort of dog show in the amphitheater on International Street.

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[MaestroJr]

Glad you had fun, and glad that you got to accomplish some first time things. Adventure Express used to have lights like that and alot more theming then it does today. I remember riding it back in the 90s and early 00s and it was far better then it is today. Hopefully though those new lights mean that some TLC has gone into the ride as it defiantly needs some care. And yes, The Beast is awesome at night! Can't wait to visit myself! Thanks for the report! MaestroJr

[matt112986]

Glad you had fun, and glad that you got to accomplish some first time things. Adventure Express used to have lights like that and alot more theming then it does today. I remember riding it back in the 90s and early 00s and it was far better then it is today. Hopefully though those new lights mean that some TLC has gone into the ride as it defiantly needs some care. And yes, The Beast is awesome at night! Can't wait to visit myself! Thanks for the report! MaestroJr

 

I would say it's biggest loss of scenery is the trees that use to surround it. Doesn't feel so isolated anymore with Banshee and Flight of Fear by it. I mostly remember the tunnels being the theme to it with the last lift as the exception having the drums and all. Having been on it Friday the final lift is in really bad shape, a lot of the material that makes the rock look is falling down. I don't recall the new lights, will have to pay more attention next time.